† beˈdelve, v. Obs.
Forms: inf. 1 bedelfan, 3–4 bydelve, 4–5 bi-, bedelue (-ve). pa. pple. 1 bedolfen, 3 bydeolve(n, 4 by-, bedolve(n, 6 bedolvyne, Sc. bedelvyn.
[OE. bedelf-an, f. be- + delf-an to delve.]
1. trans. To dig round or about.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke xiii. 8 Oþ ic hine bedelfe. a 1500 E.E. Misc. 68 The tre schal be bedolvyne abowte. |
2. To bury.
| a 1000 Dream of Rood 75 Bedealf us man on deopan seaðe. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. i. 151 And fond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. c 1440 Lonelich Grail li. 14 And him..putten there-inne, and him bedelven. 1513 Douglas æneis x. ix. 49 Quharin bedelvyn lyis a gret talent. |